SLMC to meet Mahinda, Ranil
 

by Manjula Fernando

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said yesterday they were planning to meet the two main contenders in the forthcoming Presidential Polls next week to tender their set of conditions to offer support.

"We discussed our concerns at the politburo meeting Chaired by SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem last Friday and decided we should consult the area leaders before the final draft is prepared," SLMC General Secretary Hassan Ali told the Daily News yesterday. "Our area leaders in the North and East are expected to report back on Friday where we plan to have another Politburo meeting to review the feedback," he said.

Asked whether they have scheduled any meetings with either the UNP or the SLFP, he responded in the negative. He said their main demand to ensure victory for the UNP or the PA candidate at the forthcoming election would be to uphold their proposal for a non-constituent power sharing arrangement for Muslims in the final settlement of the North-East conflict.

Other demands include security concerns, land issues and re-location of internally displaced Muslims.

They will also vie for a predominant district for Muslims in the East and a power sharing arrangement for Muslims in development programmes in the Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts.

"Whoever gives us an assurance of support to achieve these goals will get our backing," the General Secretary stressed. Asked of his opinion as to who will have a better chance of winning the forthcoming election, the SLMC Second in Command said his personal view was that a leader who will have a clear cut policy towards the peace process and is prepared to make certain sacrifices to ensure peace is restored will emerge the winner. Meanwhile, the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) said they would announce their stance on the election after the nominations are called by the Elections Commissioner.